With the spring real estate market approaching here in Louisville, it's time to consider what you need to start doing in order for you to sell your home. I have a few things listed here to aid in the process, but keep in mind that time is running short as we head into a buzzing market.
- View Your Property as a Product, Not a Home: People often get emotional when selling a home, and that's okay, but you cannot let it interfere with the sale of your property. Before you list or show your home, be sure to remove any and all personal items.
- This can include removing heirlooms, photographs, or collections of any kind.
- You do not want potential buyers to see your personality when they view the home. Aim for neutrality, because then these potential buyers will find it much easier to imagine themselves occupying your home.
- Clean, Clean, Clean: This is pretty straightforward. Your home needs to be absolutely spotless when you sell it.
- Clean in places that you've never even thought to clean. Like window sills, corners, air vents, or chimneys. A clean home sells for much more money than one that needs a little dusting.
- Clear Away Clutter: This is the next logical step after cleaning, but one that people sometimes just don't want to follow through with. It can be a pain to put your furnishings and appliances in a storage unit, but if you're already planning on moving out, then just go ahead and get all that stuff cleared out.
- Organize: Sometimes it's not what people see, but how they see it. Make sure your home is neat and tidy. You may not have moved absolutely everything out of your property, so in that case it needs to be orderly.
- Neutralize: Get rid of odors, especially ones from pets. This also applies to colors and paint. Strive for earth tones like beige or khaki. These are inviting and don't give off too much personality.
- New Paint & New Flooring: The first 15 seconds is when a buyer decides whether or not they will even be thinking about purchasing your home. Having new floors and fresh paint will catch the buyer's eye and make them want to see more of your home.
- Interior improvements such as these yield great returns on your initial investments. You can nearly double your investment by spending a few thousand dollars to improve the look and feel of your home.
- Curb Appeal: Spring is approaching here in Louisville, so focus on what your yard looks like. The exterior of your property is what initially draws buyers inside, so pay close attention to landscaping.
- Again, aim for neutrality but make your home look tidy and orderly. Make sure your sprinkler system works and at nighttime be sure to turn on all your exterior lights for buyers that might be driving by to look around the neighborhood.
